Annual Report 2022

2022 Annual Report Transport International Holdings Limited 81 On-board System Helps to Find Dementia Wanderers KMB provides a wide variety of social services and support for the elderly, especially those with dementia. Considering that it is common for a person living with dementia to wander or become lost or confused about their whereabouts, we have further developed the on-board system to identify missing elderly by their Octopus card numbers. With KMB’s huge fleet and wide service coverage in the city, there is a greater chance for missing people with dementia carrying reported Octopus card to be found. The on-board system will alert bus captains as well as the back office and operations staff immediately when a missing person has boarded a bus and tapped the reported Octopus card. This can ensure an expedited process of locating the missing person and contacting the family concerned. Effort is also made externally to promote the importance for families with an elderly member suffering from dementia to make a note of their Octopus card number, as this can be helpful when an elderly person goes missing. We have been reaching out to different residential care homes for the elderly with reminders and other helpful messages, hoping to increase the chance of finding missing seniors in a timely manner. Internally, KMB has integrated information of the scheme into its bus captain training programme and spread the message via intranet. Apart from the on-board system, KMB also supports the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing “Angel Box” pilot scheme by installing Bluetooth signal detectors “Angel Box” at bus termini and interchanges. When a dementia wanderer who carries a free tracking device passes by the “Angel Box”, the Box will share its location data with the caregivers and assist them in bringing their lost family member home as early as possible. Furthermore, KMB is constantly donating tailor-made bus stop poles to elderly homes to help prevent elderly people with dementia from missing and assist them in receiving treatment. CASE STUDY Taking the Elderly Along